Armadillo Treatment
How Do I Identify An Armadillo Infestation?
Appearance - Armadillos are a unique looking creature and are typically not confused with other animals when seen in daylight. Armadillos have nine or ten horizontal bands that run down its bone casing for flexibility. They have short legs, and long claws for digging. The casing is a very hard and shiny to protect against predators. An armadillo normally runs the same size as a small dog or medium-sized house cat, between 10 to 18 pounds, and varies in shades of gray.
Behavior - Armadillo problems usually begin with burrows around your house, flowers in your garden that have been uprooted or munched on. Armadillos are insectivores, and they dig for food in addition to making homes. Armadillos can create around 10-15 burrows within a 10-acre piece of land which could cause damage to your property and housing foundation. These burrows are usually about 8 inches wide and can be up to 14 feet deep. Armadillos are typically nocturnal so seeing these signs occurring during the night might signify an armadillo problem.
Why Could I Have Armadillos?
Armadillos are looking to create burrows for safety and also to allow them to quickly move across your yard with ease--specifically underground. They also dig to find food as well which includes insects, worms, and grubs. While having Armadillos around may seem like a good way to fend off other pests, If your property allows for space and does not have a fence to keep them out, armadillos may take up residence where you do not want them.
Why Should I Treat My Armadillo Problem Immediately?
If an armadillo problem is left untreated, you could risk the foundation of your property becoming compromised or cracked sidewalks and driveways from underlying burrows. An unnoticed burrow could lead to injury if accidentally stepped into. Armadillos are also possible carriers of Hansen’s Disease, otherwise known as Leprosy--although the risk of contracting the disease from an armadillo is minimal.
How to Get Rid of Armadillos
There are only one species of armadillo that live in the United States. This is the nine-banded armadillo. This pest originated in South America. It eventually made its way north. Texas is the state most associated with armadillos. But they can be found in Florida, North Carolina, and even Missouri.
As armadillos expand their territory north, they become a nuisance in more people's yards. They love to dig. This can cause structural problems for driveways and buildings. Plus, armadillos will happily tear up your yard. Although they are cool-looking animals, you don't want to let them hang around for long.
How Do I Spot an Armadillo Problem?
Armadillos have a very unique appearance. They are not hard to spot. They are the only mammals with skin that looks like armor. The problem is most people will never see the armadillo tearing up their yard.
Instead, look for these signs of an armadillo infestation.
- Holes. Armadillos are diggers. They will dig to get food, to hide, and just for fun. If you notice a lot of holes in your yard that are 3-5 meters wide and 1-3 meters deep, they may be made by an armadillo.
- Burrow entrances. Armadillos live in burrows. These burrows have to have an entrance. Just as you look for a rabbit burrow's entrance, you can find the entrance to armadillo burrows. It will be 7-10 inches in diameter.
How Do I Get Rid of Armadillos?
If you see an armadillo in your yard or notice their damage, then it is time to get rid of them. The longer the armadillo sticks around, the more likely it is that you will notice severe damage to your home and yard.
The following tips can help you control the armadillo population and keep them out of your yard.
- Install a heavy-duty fence.
The fence needs to go deep into the ground, as armadillos can dig underneath a normal fence. However, with the right fencing, armadillos will be unlikely to enter your yard in the first place. - Remove food and other attractants.
Armadillos love fallen fruit. So removing that from your yard is a good way to get them to leave. Also, removing shrubs and another cover is a good way to make your yard a less attractive home. - Use cayenne and garlic.
Armadillos have sensitive noses. You can use strong-smelling vegetables like cayenne or garlic to deter armadillos. - Try motion-activated deterrents.
Armadillos are quite skittish. They will be scared off by motion-activated sprinklers or lights. - Contact a good pest control company.
If there are already armadillos in your yard, you will need to hire a good exterminator to remove them. Armadillos are a special pest. So, you will need to find an exterminator that can handle this pest. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help connect you with the best armadillo removal companies in your area. If you live in armadillo territory, don't let this pest ruin your yard and garden. Put your zip code into GoLocal Pest Control today.
How to Prevent Armadillos
Armadillos are so ugly, they are cute. They are the only mammal with an armor-like covering. Armadillos are not common all over the United States, but they can be found in the southern half of the country. You may think armadillos are a cute addition to your yard, but you would be wrong. These annoying pests can cause a lot of damage to your yard and even your buildings. Plus, armadillos can carry the bacteria that causes leprosy.
To keep armadillos out of your yard, you need to try some of the prevention tips mentioned in the rest of this article.
Why Do I Have Armadillos?
Understanding an armadillos' needs will help you prevent them. They are likely attracted to your home for the following reasons.
- You have an abundance of food they like.
Armadillos eat insects. They actually dig their distinctive holes in order to catch their prey. If your holes have a lot of insects, you are more likely to have an armadillo problem. - You have places for them to dig burrows.
Armadillos also dig burrows. They like to live under the corners of buildings, porches, or walkways, and at the base of trees. Having a yard that provides these types of shelters will mean you may get an armadillo problem. - Your yard is easy to get into.
Traditionally fences don't work for armadillos. They can just dig under them. Obviously, an open yard presents no trouble at all. Armadillos prefer yards that are easy to access. If this describes your yard, you may want to consider making changes to keep the armadillos out.
How Do I Prevent Armadillos?
Preventing armadillos is key. These annoying pests can just do too much damage. The following tips should help you keep armadillos out of your yard.
- Put up a fence that goes into the ground.
If you want to use a fence to keep out armadillos, it needs to extend underground. Armadillos will happily dig to get into your yard. That is why traditional fences will not work. You should make sure the fence extends 6-12 inches below the surface. - Use cayenne pepper.
Armadillos do not like cayenne pepper. You can use cayenne pepper spray to keep them out of your yard. It will deter the armadillos from entering, and may even chase out a stray armadillo that makes its way in. - Put screens over armadillo burrows.
When the armadillos have left their burrows, cover the burrows with a screen. This will prevent the armadillo from getting into their home, which may cause them to leave your yard. - Contact a good armadillo exterminator.
For the best protection against armadillos, you need an exterminator. They can help you secure your yard against an armadillo invasion. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the top companies in your area. Contact us today to learn more.
What Do Armadillos Look Like?
Armadillos are a very unique animals. They live in a wide range of habitats, including grasslands, rain forests, and even semi-desserts. The one location they cannot live, however, is in cold locations. That is why you will only find armadillos in the southern half of the United States. These unusual animals evolved in what is now South America, and so they need heat to survive.
As cool as the armadillo is, they can also be a major pest. Armadillos are not dangerous to humans like other pests. However, they can ruin a yard and even some structures. They dig to find prey, which can pockmark your yard. Plus, they like to build dens under the corners of structures like outbuildings and porches.
Armadillos are much better viewed from a distance. You don't want one living in your yard. Instead, make sure you know what they look like. That will help you easily identify them and take steps to keep them out.
How Many Species of Armadillos Are There?
Armadillos are part of the superorder Xenarthra. Two orders make up this superorder. Armadillos are in the order Cingulata, and sloths and anteaters are in the order Pilosa. It is no surprise that all three of these animals live in South America. That is where they originated from about 50 million years ago.
The earliest armadillos were about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. No modern armadillo is anywhere close to that big. Instead, there are twenty-one modern species of armadillo. All range from about 5 inches long (the pink fairy armadillo) to 59 inches long (the giant armadillo).
There is clearly a lot of variety in the twenty-one species of armadillo. However, only one species lives in the United States. That is the nine-banded armadillo. You can find these armadillos all over the southeastern United States. As the weather warms, they have been moving north. Some have even been spotted in Illinois and Nebraska.
What Do Armadillos Look Like?
Since the nine-banded armadillo is the only armadillo in the United States, we will focus on its description. Like all armadillos, it is covered in armor. The bony plates cover the armadillo's entire body, head, and tail.
As the plates overlap they create bands. This is where the nine-banded armadillo gets its name. Unlike the name implies, this armadillo species can have seven to eleven armor bands. They can also not roll up into a complete ball, only the three-banded armadillo can do that.
Nine-banded armadillos are about two and a half feet long. Adults usually weigh about twelve pounds. They have a long nose and tail. They are usually brown-black or gray.
Armadillos are a very special mammal. That they are rare in certain areas of the United States only makes them more appealing. But you don't want this pest in your yard. If you live near armadillos, make sure to have a good exterminator on stand-by. The ones recommended by GoLocal Pest Control can help you keep this annoying pest out of your yard for good.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Armadillos
Many people may think that armadillos are just a problem in the southwest of the United States. They are not wrong. However, armadillo's territory has been expanding east and north as the weather warms. You can expect to see armadillos as far north as Missouri and all the east to Florida.
If you live in an armadillos territory, you know that they are more than just cute, funny-looking animals. They are true pests that can destroy your yard. Armadillos are best to see elsewhere, not in your yard. If you want to keep your yard armadillo-free, you need a good exterminator.
What Should I Look for in an Armadillo Exterminator?
Armadillos are location-specific pests. They do not appear all over the country. You will need to use a local exterminator to remove them. Large national companies are less likely to specialize in removing this pest as it is not found throughout the country.
Local companies, on the other hand, will be experts in all local pests, including armadillos. You can use these questions to determine whether the pest control company is a good fit.
- What is your experience treating armadillos?
- Do you kill the armadillos or just remove them?
- Is your armadillo treatment toxic?
- Will the armadillos return to my yard?
- What do I do if I continue to have armadillo problems?
What Should I Expect from Armadillo Exterminators?
The nine-banded armadillo is one heck of a digger. It can easily ruin yards and even buildings. If you have a garden, the armadillo is an even bigger nuisance. When you call an exterminator to help with your armadillo problem, you can expect the following treatment protocol.
- The inspection:
First is the inspection. The technician will find the armadillo's hiding places and determine how many of the pests are living in your yard. - The treatment:
Armadillo treatment consists of many parts. The technician may use insecticides to kill the armadillo's food source. They may also recommend installing specific armadillo-proof fences. Finally, they may trap and/or kill the armadillos themselves. Make sure to discuss all treatment options with your technician before they begin. - The follow-up:
After treatment, the technician will likely schedule a follow-up appointment. This visit will allow them to see if the armadillo problem has gone away.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Armadillos?
As mentioned above, local exterminators are best when it comes to treating an armadillo problem. With armadillos, the personalized service that local companies offer is preferred. Finding a great local company doesn't have to be hard.
At GoLocal Pest Control, we have a database with hundreds of pre-screened, quality exterminators. We are guaranteed to know an armadillo exterminator in your area. Just use our location finder, and you will be amazed at the options available. Contact us today to learn more about our process.